One of the best defensive players in baseball has come off the free agent market. Second baseman Kolten Wong has signed a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. Wong signs a deal worth $18 million. It includes a club option for 2023 as well. The 2x Gold Glover will be an impactful addition to the Brewers infield.
Kolten Wong’s Career
Wong was drafted in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of the University of Hawaii at Manoa by the St. Louis Cardinals. He made his debut in 2013 with the Cardinals, but his first full season was the 2014 season. Wong finished third in Rookie of the Year voting that year. While he never quite reached that first round potential, he had a really solid eight year career in St. Louis.
Wong has a .261/ .333/.384 career slashline. He has hit 53 home runs and stolen 88 bases. His best season came in 2019, where he had a .285/ .361/ .423 slashline and 24 stolen bases. Wong gives good at-bats, but his value isn’t in his offense. His real value is his defensive capabilities. Wong has won the Gold Glove for second basemen in the National League in each of the past two seasons. He is as sure-handed as it gets at second, he has a .988 fielding percentage over the past two seasons. Wong passes the eyeball test, but also shines in more advanced defensive metrics. He is fourth among active second basemen in total zone runs with 35.
Wong has 31 postseason games under his belt as well. He’s just a .206 hitter, but of his 20 postseason hits, 14 of them are for extra bases. Also, he has stolen four bases without being caught.
Kolten Wong Onto the Milwaukee Brewers
Wong contributes to a team’s success in a lot of ways, and this should be no different in Milwaukee. His good at-bats, baserunning, and great defense, coupled with his veteran leadership and experience will be extremely valuable to his new team. Wong signs with a contender, and he will be a solid contributor to this playoff-hopeful team.
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Player Mentioned: Kolten Wong.
